[01/12/14 - 10:31 AM]El Rey Network Acquires Fan-Favorite Series for Action-Packed Lineup; "The X-Files," "Starsky & Hutch" and "Dark Angel" Set to Premiere February 14thIn addition, the network also unveiled plans to launch "Grindhouse Fridays," a series of themed primetime movie nights that celebrate cult classic feature films in the grindhouse, action, horror and sci-fi genres.

[via press release from El Rey Network]

EL REY NETWORK ACQUIRES FAN-FAVORITE SERIES FOR ACTION-PACKED LINEUP; "THE X-FILES," "STARSKY & HUTCH" AND "DARK ANGEL" SET TO PREMIERE FEBRUARY 14TH

Network To Launch 'Grindhouse Fridays' in Primetime Beginning February 21st; Catalog of Cult Classic Films To Be Selected By And Explored In Depth By Maverick Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and His Artistic Collective

Additional Programming Includes Broadcast of Professional Mexican Premiere League Soccer with English Commentating Sundays at 1:00pm ET/12:00pm CT

Pasadena, CA- January 12, 2014 - El Rey Network, the new 24-hour English-language cable network founded by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, has licensed the cable rights to three fan-favorite and critically-acclaimed series: "Starsky & Hutch," "Dark Angel," and "The X-Files." Under the agreement, El Rey Network will have access to an extensive library of newly-acquired content which will air as part of an expanded 24-hour schedule beginning Friday, February 14th. These three celebrated series are part of an adrenaline-infused lineup featuring rebellious heroes, iconic car chases, epic fight scenes and more, which all speak to the network's desire to provide viewers a visceral storytelling experience. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In addition to the acquired programming, the network also unveiled plans to launch "Grindhouse Fridays," a series of themed primetime movie nights that celebrate cult classic feature films in the grindhouse, action, horror and sci-fi genres. Set to premiere Friday, February 21st at 10PM ET, this weekly event will put a spotlight on selections chosen by Rodriguez and his friends due to the pop culture contribution that each have made to their respective genres. Hosted by a rotating group of talent, including Rodriguez, filmmaker Roberto Orci of K/O Paper Products (Sleepy Hollow, Fringe, Hawaii Five-0, the Star Trek and Transformers franchises, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2) and Harry Knowles (Ain't It Cool News), each installment will explore why these particular franchises are meaningful both to the industry-at-large and to passionate movie fans.

El Rey Network will also ring in the New Year with special coverage of LIGA MX's Pumas (UNAM) home games, airing on various Sundays. Based in Mexico City, PUMAS is one of Mexico's most popular clubs, and El Rey will put their unique stamp on this international sensation with vibrant and colorful English-language play-by-play and analysis provided by broadcasters Ramses Sandoval and Tony Quevedo.

Highlights of El Rey Network's programming schedule as well as detailed information on the network's acquired series, can be found below:

LICENSED SERIES:

· Starsky & Hutch (Airs Monday - Friday from 2PM - 4PM ET/1PM - 3PM CT)
Starsky & Hutch is one of the most popular and iconic series of the '70s. Starring Paul Michael Glaser (Dave Starsky) and David Soul (Ken "Hutch' Hutchinson) as undercover cops and best friends, the series redefined the genre with full-throttle car chases (in the infamous Gran Torino), offbeat and self-deprecating humor and colorful characters.

· Dark Angel (Airs Mondays and Thursdays from 4PM - 8PM ET/3PM - 7PM CT)
Dark Angel, created by James Cameron and starring Jessica Alba, was an award-winning science fiction drama series that chronicled the life of Max Guevara (played by Alba), a genetically-enhanced super-soldier who escapes from a covert government biotech/military facility as a child.

Film/Airdate: Fright Night (Airing Friday, February 14 at 11:00PM ET/10:00PM CT)
The 1985 classic vampire film written and directed by Tom Holland.

· Theme: "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin Trilogy"
The legendary kung-fu trilogy featuring The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin, Return To The 36th Chamber, and Disciples Of The 36th Chamber (Airing Saturday, February 15 and running back-to-back all day starting at 12:30PM ET/11:30 AM CT)

Film/Airdate: Rolling Thunder (Airing Friday, February 28 at 10PM ET/9PM CT)
The violent 1977 thriller starring William Devane and Tommy Lee Jones about returning Vietnam vets finding a new war at home.

PUMAS (UNAM) GAME SCHEDULE:

· Sunday, January 19th: UNAM vs Toluca at 1:00PM ET/12:00pm CT

· Sunday, February 2nd: UNAM vs Tijuana at 1:00PM ET/12:00pm CT

· Sunday, February 16th: UNAM vs Atlas at 1:00PM ET/12:00pm CT

· Sunday, March 2nd: UNAM vs Pachuca at 1:00PM ET/12:00pm CT

· Sunday, March 16th: UNAM vs Atlante at 2:00PM ET/1:00pm CT

· Sunday, March 23rd: UNAM vs Monterrey at 2:00PM ET/1:00pm CT

· Sunday, April 6th: UNAM vs Chiapas at 1:00PM ET/12:00pm CT

· Sunday, April 20th: UNAM vs Guadalajara at 1:00PM ET/12:00pm CT

In addition to the licensed series and movies, El Rey Network's first original scripted project, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, is currently in production in Austin, Texas. The 10-episode supernatural crime saga, created, directed and executive produced by Rodriguez (Sin City, Machete, Desperado) and based on the 1996 cult classic he created with Quentin Tarantino, will premiere March 11, 2014.

For more information and the latest updates, please visit the network's website at: http://www.elreynetwork.com, "Like" El Rey on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ElReyNetwork and follow @ElReyNetwork on Twitter and/or join the conversation, using the hashtag #RidewithElRey.

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About El Rey Network:

El Rey Network, launching December 2013, is a new 24-hour English-language network founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. Curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, the network will unite the most culturally diverse generation in history through fearless, badass and original content that awakens the renegade in everyone. The network's action-packed content is anchored by original signature dramas, feature films, grindhouse genre, cult classic action, horror/sci-fi and next-generation sports. El Rey Network LLC (www.elreynetwork.com) is jointly owned by Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures with a minority stake held by Univision Communications Inc.

About FactoryMade Ventures:

FactoryMade is an incubator for entertainment businesses and was founded by John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa. The company builds IP-based franchises and production and distribution platforms by leveraging its strong ties to the Hollywood creative community and partnering with global brands and investors. Its ventures include El Rey Network and Tres Pistoleros Studios with Robert Rodriguez and a joint venture with the leading Mexican wrestling league Lucha Libre AAA. In addition to working with corporate partners such as Telefonica and JCP, they previously spearheaded the creation of Hasbro's film business (Transformers, G.I. Joe, Battleship) and television business (Hasbro TV Studios, the Hub Network with Discovery Communications), and developed retail's first integrated digital gaming and commerce platform with HSN (HSN Arcade).